Ryanair technicians. Photo: Ryanair Ryanair is expanding its investment in training aviation engineers in Portugal, as part of the company's ambitious growth plan over the next decade. The Irish airline currently has more than 10 partnerships with universities, academic institutions, vocational schools and aircraft maintenance training organizations across the country.
The goal is to create a local workforce that can support the expansion of Ryanair 's engineering and maintenance operations, as the company plans to reach a fleet of 800 aircraft and 300 million passengers per year by 2034.
Among the institutions collaborating with the company are the School of Engineering of the University of Minho, the University of Beira Interior, the Piaget Institute and the Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ava, along with other institutions.
Ryanair began its first academic collaboration in Portugal in 2024, and has since significantly expanded its network.
As of early 2026, 38 engineering campuses have joined the company's operations in the country, with a significant portion operating in the Porto region, where Ryanair continues to expand its engineering activities.
The internship allows students to gain practical experience in an airline work environment and work alongside aircraft maintenance teams, rather than being satisfied with theoretical training alone. Ryanair also sees this as a direct route to future integration into engineering and maintenance roles within the company. At the same time, Ryanair continues to recruit in Portugal for aircraft mechanics and bodywork positions.
The move comes against the backdrop of the growing shortage of skilled labor in the aviation industry, with Ryanair seeking to train future employees during their studies, instead of relying solely on recruiting professionals who already hold qualifications and experience.